Let’s hope everybody has gobbled up that Thanksgiving turkey because ‘It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas’ in downtown New Bern.

New Bern Area Chamber of Commerce made a shoulder-to-shoulder crowd even forget Black Friday for at least a few magical moments Friday afternoon with its Light Up the Season event that closed-off the Middle Street block between Pollock and South Front Street.

Little people and big ones in beanies, toboggans, stocking caps, ear muffs and scarves all fended off the chill to start off their Beary Merry Christmas with games and holiday crafts, music and magicians, performances from groups like dance teams from New Bern Ballet, Margaret Fletcher Dance Studio and Get the Pointe, and a brass ensemble performing from the balcony.

If they didn’t believe in Santa and snow in the south when they came, they did after the 6 p.m. countdown when Saint Nick arrived and thousands of lights magically appeared along with snow floating down from the sky to Santa’s House at Bear Plaza.

The snow is what brought West Craven Middle School friends Ali Portokalis and Morgan Wells to the event. But sisters Betsy Lewis, 9, and Georgie Lewis, 6, of New Bern who go to school at Arendell Parrott Academy in Kinston, and a long line of other young children, were more interested in getting a letter to Santa with their special wish for the season delivery.

Holiday music, both live and with the help of chamber D.J. Larry Taylor further lifted the spirit of the season.

Characters wandering through the crowd, like two from Tryon Palace inviting guests to assorted holiday season delights including the Candlelight Masquerade on Dec. 14 and 21, spread the word that there is more to come.

Before the lights came on and the snow began to fall, magicians Gary Shelton and P.J. Walker entertained and asked “Do you believe” to a street full of kids whose resounding “yes.”

Santa and Berny did come and so did the lights and snow.

He will be back in his house from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. today for Small Business Saturday, then again from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday.

Santa House and Bear Plaza Committee coordinator, Lisa Edwards was as busy as an elf on Christmas Eve but stopped to give accolades to “the many, many, many wonderful volunteers.”

Edwards said 75 to 100 volunteers and as many more downtown New Bern merchants will make this Christmas ever-so-memorable to every one of every age who comes to New Bern this year.

Amanda Banks is the Chamber Downtown Council’s Christmas Committee chair and Amber McCracken is the Light Up the Season coordinator.

Edwards said New Bern Woman’s Club members made 40 chicken wire Christmas balls, which were woven with lights and hung in the trees in Bear Plaza with the help of Chris Havilland and City of New Bern crews, all of whom “have made an awesome contribution.”

Page 2 of 2 - Characters Mrs. Santa, two elves, a snowman and reindeer were all Village Butcher employees in costume to which children gravitated and parents and grandparents snapped photos throughout the afternoon.

Edwards said the snow will come to Bear Plaza every Friday during the rest of the holiday season from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and on Dec. 15 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. there will be real sledding on the vacant lot at the corner of S. Front Street and Craven Street.

“We’ll be having a food drive and anyone who brings a food contribution can sled free,” she said.

Sue Book can be reached at 252-635-5665 or sue.book@newbernsj.com. Follow her on Twitter@SueJBook.